Fans Put Johnny On The Spot

Packed Studio`s Salutes Bring Tears To Carson`s Eyes

May 22, 1992|By Deborah Seibel, Special to the Tribune.

BURBANK, CALIF. — ``Johnny, I`ve been waiting 17 years to say hello, and now I`m saying goodbye. It was worth the 31 hours in line to wish you well. We all love you. Raina Bowsler, Monte Vista, Colorado.``

The oversized roll of white paper stretched end to end along the sidewalk of NBC`s sprawling Burbank entrance, its length dwarfed only by the triple line of people stretched around the building.

Trusting those standing with them to save their places, people took turns signing the paper carefully, lovingly, scripting what they knew they would never have the chance to tell Johnny Carson in person.

This would be the King of Late Night`s last performance before a regular studio audience. Friday night will be for friends, family and staffers only. So those determined to say goodbye had endured as many as 35 hours in line to do just that.

``I just wanted to be here to give him the standing ovation he deserves,`` said Jim Chrisoulis of San Jose, Calif.

Once inside, the atmosphere was electric. Producer Fred DeCordova took one step into the packed studio and stopped, startled by the 465 people suddenly bursting into applause.

But there was only one person everyone couldn`t wait to see. And when he came out, the applause simply would not stop. Two whole minutes. Tears in Carson`s eyes. He seemed almost at a loss, knowing there was nothing he could do to stop it.

When the director cut to commercial break, Carson stayed in front of the audience, jesting: ``You just did that so you wouldn`t have to listen to the monologue! I tell you I can`t take too much more of this.``

Robin Williams provided the badly needed comic relief.

But then it was back on the emotional roller coaster as Bette Midler and Carson ad-libbed ``Rainy Day.``

He then looked up at the audience and said quietly, ``You people are seeing one helluva a show tonight.`` The audience was on its feet again with another ovation.

But when Midler closed the show singing ``One for the Road,`` the audience`s sniffles were almost as loud as her voice. Kleenex appeared everywhere.

When the lights finally dimmed, Carson, Midler, and Williams came back for a second bow. The audience kept clapping even after the stars left. They didn`t want to stop.